Obituary

Wilburma “Billie” Lucile McKay Rappe'

Lacey, Wash.

March 29, 1923 - February 17, 2013

Wilburma was born March 29, 1923, on a farm near Dresden, Kansas. Her parents were Clyde M.McKay and Vera (Lake) McKay. She died Feb. 17, 2013, in Lacey, Wash. Her first eight years of school were at a one room country school house, the same one her father had gone to. She, her two sisters, and one brother, rode horses to school. Just before she was suppose to graduate from grade school, her family pulled up stakes and moved to Okanogan in the State of Washington. There she went on to graduate from high school. Billie graduated from Eastern Washington State College (University) in 1946 and taught school for 25 years. She taught classes at Cashmere, Omak and Okanogan, most of them at the old Virginia Grainger. She was very proud of her emphasis on basics, especially phonics. In August 1946, she married her high school sweetheart, Charles B Rappe'. Church attendance was very important to them all of their 54 years together. They had two boys, and she enjoyed raising them. Most summers included a special vacation. In 1984, after Charles retired, they moved to Wenatchee and spent about 20 years traveling to all 50 states. They were active in the Methodist Church and enjoyed many fun events with a very special group of friends. She belonged to the DAR, Delta Kappa Gamma, and the retired teachers. After Charles died, Billie moved to a beautiful retirement village in Lacey, Wash., near where her oldest son lives. She enjoyed gardening, quilting and living in her apartment. Every Sunday afternoon her daughter-in-law hosted a dinner for the family. She was preceded in death by her brother, Connie C. McKay (1953); her parents; her husband, Charles B. Rappe (2000); and her sister, Estelle Tayler (2010). She is survived by her sister, Nancy Lou Gilbaugh (William), Wenatchee, Wash.; her sons, Randall Rappe' (Janice) of Olympia, and Anthony Rappe (Carla) of Fort Collins, Colo.; stepson, Kenneth Savitz (Kay) of Spokane, Wash. and family. Her four grandchildren were very important to her. She loved being called the "education grandma". Their names were Robert M Rappe, Olympia, Wash., Mollie Rappe, Baltimore, Md., Kelly Rappe, Fort Collins, Colo., and Charlie Rappe, Fort Collins, Colo. She lived a full life and enjoyed her many friends. A memorial service will be held on March 30, 2013, at the Lacey Panorama Quinault chapelat 1 p.m. A reception will be held afterwards. Call 360-943-7943 for details.